Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1514 Rough on the outside but meticulous on the inside

Because of Tang Pangzi's previous misconduct, Dingqinglou had become infamous, causing many long-time customers to avoid it. Those who had been eating there for over a decade would rather walk several blocks to other restaurants than step into Dingqinglou. Reputation takes decades to build but only a day to destroy.

In order to win back these old customers, Huo Dongfeng came up with a plan.

He pulled Qin Hao aside and said mysteriously, "Brother, I've got an idea. Let's invite Grandpa Cui over and hold a centennial celebration! Dingqinglou opened in the early years of the Republic of China, and this year marks its 100th anniversary. We'll use this as an excuse to hold a celebration and give all customers a 50% discount for three consecutive days! What do you think?"

After listening, Qin Hao nodded approvingly: "That's a good idea."

The reason he appointed Huo Dongfeng as the manager of Dingqinglou was because he valued Huo's quick wit. Although Huo was a martial arts practitioner, he was meticulous and had a keen eye for detail despite his seemingly rough exterior.

But seeing Huo Dongfeng's hesitant expression, he couldn't help but wonder, "What's wrong? Is there something else?"

Huo Dongfeng rubbed his hands together, somewhat embarrassed: "Um... I'll have to trouble you to invite Grandpa Cui over there."

Qin Hao laughed and scolded, "Is the old man that scary? Why are you so afraid?"

Huo Dongfeng scratched his head, his expression complicated: "I was thinking that one day when Dingqinglou is restored to its former glory, I can properly offer the old man a toast. If I invite him now, it would be so awkward if he doesn't come."

He's being pretentious, genuinely pretentious. But if he weren't pretentious, he wouldn't be Huo Dongfeng.

"Alright, I'll go invite the old man." Qin Hao nodded: "But I can't guarantee whether the old man will give me face."

"Hehe, the old man will definitely give you face if you go."

……

In the afternoon, Qin Hao brought two boxes of pastries to Grandpa Cui's house.

The leaves in the yard were swept clean. Qin Hao pushed open the half-closed gate and went into the house.

The room was warm and cozy, the stove burning brightly. The television was on, showing some kind of opera program, its sounds lingering and melodious. Old Master Cui lay on his recliner, his eyes half-closed, it was hard to tell whether he was watching TV or asleep.

The old lady was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise and peeked out. Seeing it was Qin Hao, she greeted him with a smile, "Ji Qiang's here! Come in, have a seat!"

Qin Hao nodded to the old lady and placed the pastries on the table. He glanced at Grandpa Cui in the recliner and asked in a low voice, "Grandpa, what's this...?"

The old lady shook her head and sighed, "It's been like this ever since I retired. I can't get him to go out for a walk, he just lies here all day, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. Before, at least he would cook a few meals from time to time, but now all he does is eat and sleep, sleep and eat. He also likes to find fault with me, complaining that my cooking isn't good enough, that I don't clean the house properly. Don't you think people get harder to please as they get older?"

Listening to the old lady's complaints, Qin Hao chuckled inwardly. The reason Old Master Cui was reluctant to go out was probably largely due to Fatty Tang ruining Dingqing Restaurant's reputation. The old man was so concerned with his image that he couldn't bear the embarrassment. Walking down the street and encountering old acquaintances mentioning Dingqing Restaurant, he wouldn't know how to respond.

Just as they were talking, Old Master Cui opened his eyes.

When he saw Qin Hao, his eyes lit up, and he struggled to get up from the recliner: "Ji Qiang's here! Sit down, don't stand. Old woman, what are you standing there for? Quickly pour some water! You didn't even wake me up when we had guests!"

The old lady gave Qin Hao a wink, the meaning of which was clear: See? You just know how to order me around.

Qin Hao chuckled and quickly said, "Grandpa, please don't move, I'm not thirsty."

After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Hao sat down in a chair and said seriously, "Grandpa, I've come here today because I need your help with something."

Grandpa Cui casually asked, "What's the matter that requires you to bring things? Take them all back with you. I don't need anything."

"It's about Dingqing Tower."

Upon hearing the name "Dingqinglou," Old Master Cui immediately perked up. He sat up straight, his eyes fixed on Qin Hao: "What's wrong with Dingqinglou now? Didn't you take over the contract? What happened this time?"

Qin Hao chuckled inwardly, but outwardly feigned a worried expression. He sighed, his tone heavy: "Grandpa, as you know, Fatty Tang has turned Dingqing Restaurant into a complete mess over the past six months, driving away many of our old customers. Although I've now secured the contract and kicked Fatty Tang out, outsiders don't know that. How to get our old customers back is a real problem."

Upon hearing this, Old Master Cui also sighed. He leaned back in his recliner, his expression complex: "Well, as the saying goes: good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Dingqinglou spent a hundred years building up its reputation, and that brat ruined it all."

Qin Hao pressed his advantage: "So, Huo Dongfeng came up with a plan. He intends to hold a centennial celebration for Dingqinglou, offering all customers a 50% discount for three consecutive days. Using this as an excuse, he wants to invite all the old customers back and let them see that Dingqinglou is still the same Dingqinglou as before."

Grandpa Cui's eyes lit up. He pondered for a moment and nodded: "Hmm, that's a good idea. A centennial celebration is perfectly justified. A 50% discount is quite attractive. I didn't expect Huo Dongfeng to be so clever."

Then he looked at Qin Hao suspiciously: "Tell me honestly, was this your idea, and then you pinned it on Huo Dongfeng?"

Qin Hao said seriously, "Grandpa, you don't understand Old Huo at all. Yes, he is indeed a bit impulsive. But he has always been upright and honest in his actions. He takes credit for what he deserves and will never take credit for what he doesn't. This idea was really his."

Old Master Cui was slightly surprised and remained silent for a moment. Then he nodded: "Alright, go back and tell him that I've agreed to this. On the day of the celebration, I will definitely bring our old customers to visit. As for whether he can rebuild his reputation, that depends on himself."

Qin Hao was overjoyed and stood up: "Alright! Then I'll thank you on behalf of Old Huo!"

"No need to thank me." Old Master Cui waved his hand: "The matter of Dingqinglou is my matter. As long as I can get that sign back up, I'll do anything."

Qin Hao smiled and took his leave.

As he stepped outside, he couldn't help but glance back. Old Master Cui had already reclined back in his chair, but the light in his eyes was much brighter than before.

……

The news Qin Hao brought back made Huo Dongfeng feel incredibly excited.

To prepare for the centennial celebration, he slept only four or five hours a day. He would arrive at the store before dawn and work until late at night. He required everyone to rehearse every process, from the kitchen to the front of the restaurant, countless times.

Back in the kitchen, he personally supervised the head chef's tasting of the dishes. He tested each one, adjusting each one meticulously. The amount of salt, the amount of soy sauce, the heat, the cooking time—everything had to be precise to the extreme. The head chef was exhausted by his efforts, but seeing his earnestness, he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

In the front of the restaurant, he required the waiters to practice the reception procedures repeatedly. From greeting guests, seating them, taking orders, serving food, settling accounts, to seeing guests off, every step had to be done perfectly. He also had Sister Zhou act as a "customer" to simulate various unexpected situations and train the waiters' ability to respond.

As a result, many employees began to complain.

"If you ask me, we might as well have contracted this place out to Fatty Tang! At least he doesn't treat us like this!" a waiter complained in the break room.

“Who says otherwise!” another chimed in. “Back when Fatty Tang was around, we could sit around all day waiting to get off work, it was so easy. Now, we’re working like dogs.”

"I also heard that our Manager Huo used to be a notorious gangster in Donglin! He was sentenced to more than ten years in prison during a crackdown!" A young waiter lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "What does someone like that know about management? I think we should find new jobs as soon as possible, so we won't be caught unprepared when we're laid off."

As the group was engrossed in their conversation, a furious shout suddenly came from behind them:

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Everyone turned around and saw that it was Li Xiaozhen.

Li Xiaozhen, abandoning her usual amiable demeanor, glared at him and stormed over: "Do you really think that guy surnamed Tang is some kind of good bird? He didn't care about you before because he was determined to ruin Dingqinglou! If he really wants to spend his own money, see if he doesn't fire you!"

Several waiters were so badly scolded that they couldn't lift their heads.

Li Xiaozhen continued, "Those who don't want to work here can leave now! The door's over there, no one's stopping you! You're grown men, always talking like sissies, how can you be so shameless!"

At this moment, Sister Zhou also stepped forward.

She walked up to the waiters and said sternly, "I don't know who Manager Huo is. But what I've seen in the past two weeks is that he's the first to arrive and the last to leave every day, someone who works tirelessly to make Dingqing Restaurant a success. He has been to jail, but that's in the past. Now he's doing his job, trying to make sure everyone has food to eat and a salary. Don't you feel guilty gossiping behind his back?"

The other employees who had also invested in the company began to voice their support for Huo Dongfeng. Although they weren't sure if Huo Dongfeng could revive Dingqinglou, they had witnessed his actions over the past few days. Huo Dongfeng was indeed putting in a lot of effort to do something worthwhile, not just wasting his time.

The complaining waiters were thoroughly humiliated and dared not utter another word.

From then on, no one dared to gossip in the shop about Huo Dongfeng's imprisonment.

Huo Dongfeng faced significantly less resistance when making arrangements.

……

Just when everything was going well, Ermei arrived.

That afternoon, Huo Dongfeng was in the kitchen studying recipes with the head chef when he suddenly heard a commotion in the front hall. He went out to see what was going on and his heart skipped a beat.

Ermei stood at the door, wearing a brand-new mink coat and sunglasses, his hair slicked back and shiny. Behind him were seven or eight henchmen, all wearing leather jackets, who looked like tough guys.

"Big Brother!" Er Mei saw Huo Dongfeng and walked over with open arms: "Such a big thing, and you didn't even tell your brother!"

The group of henchmen behind him immediately turned hostile towards Huo Dongfeng.

The atmosphere became somewhat heavy for a moment.

Huo Dongfeng felt a bit of a predicament. He had always treated Er Mei like a brother, both in the past and now. However, Er Mei's current status was indeed somewhat awkward. If he were to appear on the centennial celebration with a group of thugs, it would inevitably disturb the diners who came to support the event.

Moreover, he had just asked Qin Hao to persuade Old Master Cui to come to the celebration as well. If Old Master Cui saw him acting like a brother to Er Mei, he would definitely think he was a leopard that couldn't change its spots. Then all his previous efforts would have been in vain.

"Er Mei..." Huo Dongfeng started to say something.

Ermei hugged him tightly, giving him a bear hug. Then she let go, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Big brother, I know you must have been too busy to remember! It's okay, I have a lot of connections and I'm well-informed! I'll make sure you have a packed house and it's a great success!"

Huo Dongfeng suddenly felt a toothache.

A scene flashed through his mind: On the day of the centennial celebration, Er Mei and a gang of thugs filled Dingqing Restaurant. Those thugs drank, played drinking games, and shouted, scaring away all the other customers. Old Master Cui stood at the door, clutching his chest, and slowly collapsed…

"Ermei, I appreciate your kind offer," Huo Dongfeng quickly said. "If you're coming to the celebration, I'll definitely welcome you with open arms. But I have a favor to ask of you, would you mind?"

Before he could finish speaking, Ermei patted Huo Dongfeng's arm, interrupting him: "Big brother, I know what you're worried about!"

Huo Dongfeng was taken aback.

Ermei leaned closer: "Don't worry! That day is your big day, I definitely won't cause you any trouble! I promise I won't bring them—I've invited big shots from all walks of life! They're all respectable people! I'll make sure the arrangements are perfect for you!"

Upon hearing this, Huo Dongfeng became even more depressed.

He believed that with Er Mei's status in the underworld, she could definitely do it. Those people would certainly give her face. But once labeled as such, how would Dingqinglou's business continue? Would people think Dingqinglou was actually Er Mei's business? Would they think it was a triad-run establishment?

When Er Mei was at the height of her fame, things were fine; perhaps people would still give her face and patronize her business. But as the saying goes, nothing lasts forever. What if Er Mei lost power? To put it bluntly, who would give face to a scoundrel who had fallen from grace?

However, Huo Dongfeng simply couldn't bring himself to say it in front of so many people.

Seeing his silence, Ermei assumed he was too moved to speak. She patted him on the shoulder again: "Alright, brother, it's settled then! I'm off, you go ahead with your work!"

After saying that, he led his gang of henchmen and strode away.

Huo Dongfeng stood there, watching the two beauties' backs, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

……

That night, Huo Dongfeng was feeling really frustrated, so he went to drink with Qin Hao and Hongwei.

The three of them sat down at their usual spot—Old Wang's barbecue stall. They ordered two jin of lamb skewers, several bottles of beer, and a jug of loose rice.

As soon as Huo Dongfeng explained the situation, Hongwei slammed his fist on the table and said, "Big brother, if you can't bring yourself to speak up, I'll go talk to Ermei!"

"Alright!" Huo Dongfeng glared at him. "I'd rather you go! Don't let the two of you start fighting again. Ermei has a lot of men under her now. If you clash with her, you'll be the one who suffers."

Hongwei scratched his head and said unconvinced, "I'm afraid of him? He used to be the little brother who followed his older brother around!"

"That was back then." Huo Dongfeng took a sip of his drink, his voice low. "Things are different now. He has his path, and I have mine. I can't let you be dragged down because of me."

Hongwei fell silent. He looked at Qin Hao: "Ji Qiang, aren't you usually the one with the most ideas? Why don't you come up with one?"

Qin Hao slowly took a sip of wine and spread his hands: "The one who tied the knot must untie it. This matter really has to be resolved by Old Huo himself."

Others might not see it, but Qin Hao knew it perfectly well. Huo Dongfeng wasn't one to drag things out; the reason he maintained a relationship with the two beauties was that he hadn't completely let go of his former self—the once spirited leader of the Three Heroes of Donglin.

That period was the most glorious time of his life. Although it ended with a ten-year prison sentence, it was still a part of him. How easy is it for him to completely sever ties?

Huo Dongfeng gave a bitter laugh and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. The liquor was pungent, burning from his throat all the way to his stomach.

"Yes, I have to handle this myself!"

He stood up, put on his coat, and said, "I'm leaving now. You guys enjoy your drinks. I have to move on to the next one."

……

That night, Huo Dongfeng did not return at all.

The next day, just before it was time for him to go to work, he appeared at the entrance of Dingqinglou, reeking of alcohol. His hair was a mess, his clothes were wrinkled, and his eyes were as red as a rabbit's.

But he stood at the doorway, facing the morning sunlight, and took a deep breath. Although he couldn't hide his exhaustion, a closer look revealed that Huo Dongfeng's eyes had become even more profound.

He pushed open the door and went inside.

"Good morning, Manager Huo!" several cleaning staff greeted him.

"Good morning." Huo Dongfeng nodded and strode into the kitchen.

A new day has begun.

……

A week has passed in the blink of an eye, and the centennial celebration of Dingqinglou has finally arrived.

March 15, 1994, the fourth day of the second lunar month, is an auspicious day for opening a business, holding celebrations, and receiving wealth.

Early in the morning, the entrance of Dingqing Tower was decorated with red banners and lanterns. Bright red lanterns hung from the entrance all the way to the second floor, and colorful flags fluttered, creating a festive atmosphere. A brand-new banner hung above the door, bearing seven large characters: "Dingqing Tower Centennial Celebration".

Two rows of flower baskets were placed at the entrance, all from business owners in Donglin City. Some were from restaurant owners, some from suppliers, and some were from Ermei herself. The flower baskets were tied with red ribbons and had congratulatory messages written on them, and they were neatly arranged in two rows, stretching all the way to the side of the street.

The most eye-catching feature is the old plaque. The three large characters "Dingqinglou," personally inscribed by Xu Shichang, have been polished to a gleaming shine and re-hung in the center of the lintel. In the sunlight, the three characters gleam with golden light, as if telling a story of a century of vicissitudes and glory.

The celebration officially began at 10:00 AM.

The crackling of firecrackers echoed through the sky, smoke filled the air, and red confetti littered the ground. The crowd of onlookers was three or four deep, completely blocking the street.

Huo Dongfeng stood at the door, dressed in a brand-new navy blue Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed. He was usually a burly man, but today, dressed like this, he had the air of a manager. He had a smile on his face, but upon closer inspection, one could see a hint of nervousness beneath it.

"Old Huo, don't be nervous." Qin Hao stood next to him and patted him on the shoulder.

Huo Dongfeng nodded and took a deep breath.

Just then, the crowd automatically parted to make way. Old Master Cui had arrived.

The old man was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit, his hair was gray, but his back was ramrod straight.

Huo Dongfeng tensed up when he saw Old Master Cui. He quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Old Master, you've arrived."

Grandpa Cui looked at him with a complicated expression. After a few seconds of silence, he reached out and patted Huo Dongfeng on the shoulder: "Yes, you're here. Today is your big day, do a good job."

Huo Dongfeng's eyes welled up with tears, and he almost shed one. He nodded vigorously, "Yes! I will definitely do my best!"

Grandpa Cui didn't say anything more and led the group of regular customers into the shop.

The lobby was spotless, the tables and chairs were polished to a shine, and old photos hung on the walls, recording the century-long changes of Dingqinglou.

The kitchen curtain was lifted, and the head chef came out carrying a plate of food. It was Dingqinglou's signature dish—Guobaorou (Sweet and Sour Pork). The golden-brown slices of pork, drizzled with sweet and sour sauce, emitted an enticing aroma.

"Little Zhang! It's you!" The old man recognized the master chef: "You're back?"

The head chef nodded, his eyes reddening: "They're back, they're all back."

The old man took the plate, picked up a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth. After chewing for a while, tears welled up in his eyes: "This is the taste! The taste I've been eating for twenty years!"

Huo Dongfeng stood at the door, watching this scene, his eyes slightly red.

"Manager Huo, it's your turn to speak," Sister Zhou came over to remind him.

Huo Dongfeng nodded, walked to the center of the lobby, and picked up the microphone.

He cleared his throat and said, "Dear elders, friends, and loyal customers, today is the 100th anniversary of Dingqinglou."

The lobby fell silent, and everyone looked at him.

“My name is Huo Dongfeng, and I am the new manager of Dingqinglou. I know some people have heard about my past. Yes, I have been to prison and served more than ten years. But I am not standing here today to defend myself. I am here to make a promise to everyone.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room: "From today onwards, Dingqinglou is still the same Dingqinglou. It still tastes the same as it has for you for over a decade, and it still feels like home to you. I, Huo Dongfeng, will protect this brand with my life. If I fail to do so, you can come to me anytime, scold me, beat me—I'll accept it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted.

Grandpa Cui stood in the crowd, looking at Huo Dongfeng with a complex expression. But he said nothing, only nodded slightly.

Next came the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Grandpa Cui, Qin Hao, Li Xiaozhen, Sister Zhou, and several regular customers cut the red ribbon together.

Firecrackers went off again, and drums and gongs filled the air, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

A long queue formed at the entrance. Customers who had heard the news craned their necks, waiting to get in. The staff were extremely busy, but all wore smiles.

A 50% discount and a centennial celebration—who wouldn't want to join in the fun?

In the kitchen, the head chef and his apprentices were stir-frying dishes until the spatulas were smoking. Dishes were carried out one after another, empty plates brought back, then carried out again, then brought back again. The stove roared, smoke billowed, and the entire kitchen resembled a battlefield, but everyone wore smiles; that familiar feeling had returned.

Huo Dongfeng was busy running around, sometimes greeting guests in the front hall, sometimes urging the kitchen to prepare the food, and sometimes running to the door to maintain order. He always had a smile on his face, but if you looked closely, you could see beads of sweat on his forehead.

The busiest time arrives at noon.

The lobby was packed, with tables even set up in the aisles. Waiters carried dishes, calling out "Excuse me, excuse me!" Guests clinked glasses and laughed. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, warming their smiling faces.

Huo Dongfeng stood by the second-floor railing, looking at the lively scene below, and let out a long sigh of relief.

Just then, a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned around and saw it was Old Master Cui.

"Grandpa." Huo Dongfeng quickly stood up straight.

Grandpa Cui looked downstairs and remained silent for a while. Then he said, "Well done."

Huo Dongfeng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a word. He just stood there, like a wooden stake.

Grandpa Cui patted him on the shoulder: "Do a good job. From now on, Erpang is in your hands."

After saying that, he turned and went downstairs.

Watching his retreating figure, Huo Dongfeng finally couldn't hold back her tears. (End of Chapter)